U.S. patent application number 12/752504 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-06 for methods and systems for providing enhanced content by way of a virtual channel.
This patent application is currently assigned to Verizon Patent and Licensing, Inc.. Invention is credited to Raul I. Aldrey, Siddharth Pandey, Brian F. Roberts, Enrique Ruiz-Velasco.
Application Number | 20110247037 12/752504 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44711167 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110247037 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pandey; Siddharth ; et
al. |
October 6, 2011 |
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED CONTENT BY WAY OF A
VIRTUAL CHANNEL
Abstract
Exemplary methods and systems for providing enhanced content by
way of a virtual channel are disclosed herein. An exemplary method
includes a service provider subsystem providing a virtual channel,
associating the virtual channel with a content provider, receiving
enhanced content to be provided by way of the virtual channel from
the content provider, associating one or more selectable triggers
with the virtual channel, and providing a user with access to the
enhanced content in response to a selection by the user of one of
the one or more selectable triggers. Corresponding methods and
systems are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Pandey; Siddharth; (Irving,
TX) ; Roberts; Brian F.; (Dallas, TX) ;
Ruiz-Velasco; Enrique; (Flower Mound, TX) ; Aldrey;
Raul I.; (Plano, TX) |
Assignee: |
Verizon Patent and Licensing,
Inc.
Basking Ridge
NJ
|
Family ID: |
44711167 |
Appl. No.: |
12/752504 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/42 ;
725/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4722 20130101;
H04N 21/472 20130101; H04N 21/2668 20130101; H04N 21/4622 20130101;
H04N 5/44543 20130101; H04N 21/812 20130101; H04N 21/8126 20130101;
H04N 21/4826 20130101; H04N 21/478 20130101; H04N 21/4314 20130101;
H04N 21/47 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/42 ;
725/39 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/445 20060101
H04N005/445 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: providing, by a service provider subsystem,
a virtual channel; associating, by the service provider subsystem,
the virtual channel with a content provider; receiving, by the
service provider subsystem, enhanced content to be provided by way
of the virtual channel from the content provider; associating, by
the service provider subsystem, one or more selectable triggers
with the virtual channel; and providing, by the service provider
subsystem, a user with access to the enhanced content in response
to a selection by the user of one of the one or more selectable
triggers.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing, by the
service provider subsystem, an interactive portal by way of the
virtual channel, the interactive portal configured to facilitate
interaction by the user with the enhanced content.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: providing, by the
service provider subsystem, one or more application programming
interfaces configured to facilitate customization of the
interactive portal by the content provider; and customizing, by the
service provider subsystem, the interactive portal in accordance
with input provided by the content provider.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the interactive portal comprises
a layout consistent with a plurality of other interactive portals
associated with other virtual channels.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more selectable
triggers are included within at least one of a broadcast
advertisement stream presented to the user, a menu presented to the
user, an interactive program guide presented to the user, a banner
advertisement presented to the user, and a pop-up message presented
to the user.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more selectable
triggers comprise at least one of a channel code, a link, a listing
within a menu, and a selectable graphical object.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising dynamically updating,
by the service provider subsystem, the enhanced content based on an
interaction of the user with the enhanced content.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual channel is accessible
over a subscriber television network.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhanced content comprises at
least one of social networking content associated with a promoted
product, Internet-based content associated with the promoted
product, content associated with personnel associated with the
promoted product, rating content associated with the promoted
product, one or more games associated with the promoted product,
and one or more advertisements associated with the promoted
product.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the promoted product comprises a
media content instance and the enhanced content further comprises
at least one of one or more scenes included within the media
content instance, production content associated with the media
content instance, one or more scenes deleted from the media content
instance, one or more alternative scenes associated with the media
content instance, and one or more platform-specific formats of the
media content instance.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the media content instance
comprises at least one of a movie, a video-on-demand program, a
pay-per-view event, a live broadcast of an event, and a song.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing, by the
service provider subsystem, access to the enhanced content
concurrently with a presentation of the media content instance.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual channel is
associated with the content provider for a predetermined period of
time.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising associating, by the
service provider subsystem, the virtual channel with another
content provider after the predetermined period of time.
15. The method of claim 1, embodied as computer-executable
instructions on at least one tangible computer-readable medium.
16. A method comprising: associating, by a service provider
subsystem, a virtual channel with a vendor of a promoted product;
receiving, by the service provider subsystem, data representative
of enhanced content to be provided by way of the virtual channel
from the vendor; associating, by the service provider subsystem,
one or more selectable triggers with the virtual channel, the one
or more selectable triggers comprising a virtual channel code;
delivering, by the service provider subsystem over a television
network, data representative of an advertisement for the promoted
product to a user, the advertisement including the virtual channel
code; and providing, by the service provider subsystem, the user
with access to the enhanced content in response to input by the
user of the virtual channel code by way of a user input device.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing, by the
service provider subsystem, an interactive portal by way of the
virtual channel, the interactive portal configured to facilitate
interaction by the user with the enhanced content.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the promoted product comprises
one or more television programs available through the television
network.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the virtual channel code
corresponds to a channel number associated with the television
network.
20. A system comprising: a virtual channel management facility
configured to associate a virtual channel with a content provider;
and an enhanced content management facility communicatively coupled
to the virtual channel management facility and configured to
receive, from the content provider, enhanced content to be provided
by way of the virtual channel, associate one or more selectable
triggers with the virtual channel, and provide a user with access
to the enhanced content in response to a selection by the user of
one of the one or more selectable triggers.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the enhanced content management
facility is further configured to: provide an interactive portal by
way of the virtual channel, the interactive portal configured to
facilitate interaction by the user with the enhanced content;
provide one or more application programming interfaces configured
to facilitate customization of the interactive portal by the
content provider; and customize the interactive portal in
accordance with input provided by the content provider.
Description
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0001] As media content distribution and processing technologies
have advanced, media outlets through which advertisements are
distributed have increased both in number and type. The increased
number and type of media outlets have provided a variety of
platforms that may be used by advertisers to distribute
advertisement content to potential consumers. For example, set-top
box devices and other media content access devices are often
capable of receiving and/or delivering advertisement content to
users. The delivered advertisement content may be associated with
one of a variety of products for sale. For example, an
advertisement may promote a media content instance, such as a
pay-per-view event, a video-on-demand program, a movie, music,
and/or any other type of media content instance that is available
for purchase.
[0002] However, it is sometimes difficult to generate user interest
in an advertised product through traditional advertisements. This
is due at least in part to various limitations associated with
traditional advertisements. For example, traditional broadcast
advertisements are limited to a relatively short amount of time to
generate user interest in a product being advertised. Hence,
alternative approaches to promoting and incentivizing the purchase
of advertised products are desirable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments and
are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are
merely examples and do not limit the scope of the disclosure.
Throughout the drawings, identical or similar reference numbers may
designate identical or similar elements.
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system for providing
enhanced content by way of virtual channels according to principles
described herein.
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary media content provider
subsystem according to principles described herein.
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary service provider subsystem
according to principles described herein.
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary media content access
subsystem according to principles described herein.
[0008] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary media content access device
according to principles described herein.
[0009] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary remote control device
according to principles described herein.
[0010] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary method of providing enhanced
content by way of a virtual channel according to principles
described herein.
[0011] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary advertisement frame that may
be included within a visual advertisement presented to a user
according to principles described herein.
[0012] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary form of presenting one or
more selectable triggers according to principles described
herein.
[0013] FIG. 10 Illustrates another exemplary form of presenting one
or more selectable triggers according to principles described
herein.
[0014] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary interactive portal
according to principles described herein.
[0015] FIG. 12 illustrates another exemplary interactive portal
according to principles described herein.
[0016] FIG. 13 illustrates another exemplary interactive portal
according to principles described herein.
[0017] FIG. 14 illustrates another exemplary interactive portal
according to principles described herein.
[0018] FIG. 15 illustrates another exemplary method of providing
enhanced content by way of a virtual channel according to
principles described herein.
[0019] FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary computing device according
to principles described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Exemplary methods and systems for providing enhanced content
by way of a virtual channel are described herein. As described
further below, one or more of the exemplary systems and/or methods
disclosed herein may enable a vendor to engage potential consumers
and generate consumer interest in a promoted product with increased
effectiveness through the use of virtual channels and enhanced
content. Additionally, one or more of the exemplary systems and/or
methods disclosed herein may allow interactive content associated
with a promoted product to be selectively launched or otherwise
accessed by potential customers (e.g., users of media content
access devices), thus providing the potential customers with the
ability to explore content associated with the promoted product at
their leisure.
[0021] In some examples, a service provider subsystem may be
configured to provide a virtual channel and associate the virtual
channel with a content provider (e.g., a vendor, advertiser, etc.).
The service provider subsystem may receive enhanced content from
the content provider to be provided by way of the virtual channel.
The service provider subsystem may also associate one or more
selectable triggers with the virtual channel. In response to a
selection by a user of one of the one or more selectable triggers,
the service provider subsystem may provide the user with access to
the enhanced content by way of the virtual channel. By providing
enhanced content accessible by way of a virtual channel, a vendor
may avoid customary limitations associated with traditional
advertisements and generate greater interest in a promoted product
more efficiently and in a more cost effective manner.
[0022] As used herein, a "promoted product" (also referred to
herein as an "advertised product" or simply a "product") may refer
to any media content instance, good, service, information,
campaign, or other tangible or intangible product being promoted
and/or advertised. For example, a promoted product may include a
movie available in theatres and/or on-demand, an automobile, a
political campaign, and/or any other product as may serve a
particular implementation.
[0023] As used herein, an "advertisement" may include any
information and/or media content configured to generate user
interest in a product. Exemplary advertisements may include,
without limitation, linear advertisements, on-demand advertisements
(e.g., video-on-demand ("VOD") advertisements), interactive
advertisements, banner advertisements, application insertion
advertisements, and content portal advertisements. Linear
advertisements may include traditional commercials (e.g.,
thirty-second spots) presented during a media content broadcast.
On-demand advertisements may include advertisements housed within
an on-demand system (e.g., one or more on-demand content servers),
such as VOD ads housed within one or more VOD servers. Interactive
advertisements may include any advertisements with which a user may
interact. Banner advertisements may include any advertisements that
may be spatially placed within a display view provided to a user.
Banner advertisements may include static and/or clickable banner
ads. Application insertion advertisements may include
advertisements that may be inserted within an application such as a
video game application provided by a media outlet. The
advertisement types described above are illustrative only. Other
advertisement types and/or combinations of advertisement types may
be used in other embodiments.
[0024] As used herein, "media content" may refer generally to any
content accessible via an access subsystem. The term "media content
instance" will be used herein to refer to any television program,
on-demand media program (e.g., video-on-demand program),
pay-per-view event, broadcast media program (e.g., broadcast
television program), multicast media program, narrowcast media
program, advertisement, IPTV media content, video, movie, song,
video game, text, images, or combination of these or other forms of
media content that may be viewed or otherwise experienced by a
user.
[0025] As used herein, a "virtual channel" refers to any
interactive channel by which enhanced content associated with a
promoted product may be presented to a user of a media content
access subsystem. In some examples, a virtual channel may be
implemented by an Internet-Protocol ("IP") channel associated with
a television subscription service.
[0026] As used herein, "enhanced content" refers to any content
configured to generate user interest in a promoted product. For
example, enhanced content may include, but is not limited to,
interactive content associated with the promoted product, social
networking content associated with the promoted product,
Internet-based content associated with the promoted product,
content associated with personnel associated with the promoted
product, rating/review content associated with the promoted
product, activities associated with the promoted product, one or
more advertisements for the promoted product or any related
products, content associated with dealers/retailers of the promoted
product, and/or any other content associated with the promoted
product that may be accessed by a user. Specific examples of
enhanced content will be described in more detail below.
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 100 for providing
enhanced content by way of virtual channels. As will be described
in more detail below, system 100 may be configured to facilitate
access by a user to enhanced content associated with a promoted
product by way of a virtual channel. System 100 may include, but is
not limited to a media content provider subsystem 102, a service
provider subsystem 104, and a media content access subsystem 106
(or simply "access subsystem 106").
[0028] Media content provider subsystem 102 may be configured to
manage (e.g., maintain, process, distribute, and/or generate) media
content (e.g., media content programs, advertisements, etc.)
configured to be presented to one or more users of access subsystem
106. For example, media content provider subsystem 102 may be
configured to facilitate creation of advertisement content related
to a promoted product. To illustrate, a vendor may utilize media
content provider subsystem 102 to create one or more advertisements
associated with the promoted product. The advertisements may
include information and/or media content instances promoting the
product as well as one or more selectable triggers for accessing
the virtual channel. As will be described in more detail below, a
user may select one of the one or more selectable triggers to
access enhanced content associated with the promoted product.
[0029] Media content provider subsystem 102 may be further
configured to generate, maintain, and/or provide enhanced content
to be presented to a user of access subsystem 106 by way of a
virtual channel. For example, media content provider subsystem 102
may be associated with a vendor desiring to promote a particular
product. The vendor may utilize media content provider subsystem
102 to create enhanced content configured to generate user interest
in the product. The enhanced content may then be presented to one
or more users by way of a virtual channel in accordance with
principles described herein.
[0030] Service provider subsystem 104 may be configured to provide
one or more services configured to facilitate delivery of media
content, enhanced content, and/or any other data to access
subsystem 106. For example, service provider subsystem 104 may be
configured to provide a virtual channel and associate the virtual
channel with a content provider (e.g., a vendor or an advertiser).
As will be described in more detail below, service provider
subsystem 104 may receive enhanced content from the content
provider (e.g., using media content provider subsystem 102) to be
provided by way of the virtual channel, associate one or more
selectable triggers with the virtual channel, and provide a user
with access to the enhanced content in response to a selection by
the user of one of the one or more selectable triggers.
[0031] Access subsystem 106 may be configured to facilitate access
by a user to media content (e.g., advertisements, media content
instances), enhanced content, and/or other data provided by media
content provider subsystem 102 and/or service provider subsystem
104. To this end, access subsystem 106 may be communicatively
coupled to media content provider subsystem 102 by way of the
services provided by service provider subsystem 104.
[0032] Components of system 100 may communicate with one another
using any suitable communication technologies, devices, media, and
protocols supportive of data communications, including, but not
limited to, socket connections, Ethernet, data bus technologies,
data transmission media, communications devices, Transmission
Control Protocol ("TCP"), Internet Protocol ("IP"), File Transfer
Protocol ("FTP"), Telnet, Hypertext Transfer Protocol ("HTTP"),
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure ("HTTPS"), Session Initiation
Protocol ("SIP"), Simple Object Access Protocol ("SOAP"),
Extensible Mark-up Language ("XML") and variations thereof, Simple
Mail Transfer Protocol ("SMTP"), Real-Time Transport Protocol
("RTP"), User Datagram Protocol ("UDP"), Global System for Mobile
Communications ("GSM") technologies, Code Division Multiple Access
("CDMA") technologies, Evolution Data Optimized Protocol ("EVDO"),
Time Division Multiple Access ("TDMA") technologies, Short Message
Service ("SMS"), Multimedia Message Service ("MMS"), radio
frequency ("RF") signaling technologies, wireless communication
technologies (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.), in-band and
out-of-band signaling technologies, and other suitable
communications technologies.
[0033] Components of system 100 may communicate using any suitable
network. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, components of system 100
may be configured to communicate with each other over a network
108. Network 108 may include one or more networks or types of
networks capable of carrying communications and/or data signals
between the components of system 100. For example, network 108 may
include, but are not limited to, a cable network, an optical fiber
network, a hybrid fiber coax network, a wireless network (e.g., a
Wi-Fi and/or mobile telephone network), a satellite network, a
wireless broadcast network (e.g., a satellite media broadcasting
network or terrestrial broadcasting network), a subscriber
television network, a provider-specific network (e.g., a
Verizon.RTM. FIOS.RTM. network), the Internet, an intranet, local
area network, any other suitable network, and/or any combination or
sub-combination of these networks.
[0034] In some examples, although FIG. 1 shows components of system
100 communicatively coupled via network 108, it will be recognized
that the components of system 100 may be configured to communicate
one with another in any other suitable manner (e.g., via a direct
connection).
[0035] While an exemplary system 100 is shown in FIG. 1, the
exemplary components illustrated in FIG. 1 are not intended to be
limiting. Other hardware environments and implementations may be
used in other implementations. Exemplary components of system 100
will now be described in additional detail.
[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary components of media content
provider subsystem 102. As shown, media content provider subsystem
102 may include a media content facility 202, an enhanced content
generation facility 204, and a storage facility 206, which may be
in communication with one another using any suitable communication
technologies.
[0037] Media content facility 202 may be configured to manage
(e.g., maintain, process, distribute, and/or generate) media
content configured to be presented to one or more users of access
subsystem 106. For example media content facility 202 may be
configured to create and/or deliver advertisements configured to
generate user interest in a promoted product. In some examples, the
advertisements may include and/or be associated with one or more
selectable triggers configured to facilitate access by a user to
enhanced content associated with the promoted product.
[0038] To illustrate, a vendor may utilize media content facility
202 to generate a television advertisement configured to promote a
particular product. At the end of the television advertisement, the
vendor may include instructions for the user to select a trigger
(e.g., by pressing one or more input keys on a user input device)
in order to access enhanced content related to the promoted
product. After following the instructions, the user may be provided
access to the virtual channel and experience enhanced content
related to the promoted product.
[0039] Enhanced content generation facility 204 may be configured
to generate, maintain, and/or provide enhanced content to be
presented to a user by way of a virtual channel. The enhanced
content may include any of the exemplary enhanced content disclosed
herein and may be configured to generate user interest in a
promoted product. The enhanced content may be generated,
maintained, and/or provided in any suitable manner.
[0040] Storage facility 206 may be configured to maintain media
content data 208 representative of one or more media content
instances and enhanced content data 210 representative of enhanced
content. It will be recognized that storage facility 206 may
maintain additional or alternative data as may serve a particular
implementation.
[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary components of service provider
subsystem 104. As shown, service provider subsystem 104 may include
a virtual channel management facility 302, an enhanced content
management facility 304, and a storage facility 306, which may be
in communication with one another using any suitable communication
technologies.
[0042] Virtual channel management facility 302 may be configured to
manage (e.g., create, maintain, and/or provide access to) one or
more virtual channels. For example, virtual channel management
facility 302 may be configured to provide one or more virtual
channels and associate the one or more virtual channels with one or
more content providers (e.g., vendors). To illustrate, service
provider subsystem 104 may be associated with a service provider
(e.g., a television subscription service provider) that has entered
into a lease agreement to lease a virtual channel to a vendor. In
this manner, the vendor may provide enhanced content associated
with a product that the vendor is promoting by way of the virtual
channel. The lease may be for a predetermined period of time, after
which virtual channel management facility 302 may associate the
virtual channel with another vendor.
[0043] Virtual channel management facility 302 may be further
configured to selectively provide a user with access to a virtual
channel. To this end, virtual channel management facility 302 may
be configured to associate one or more selectable triggers with a
virtual channel. In response to a selection by a user of a
selectable trigger, virtual channel management facility 302 may
provide the user with access to the virtual channel, as will be
described in more detail below.
[0044] Enhanced content management facility 304 may be configured
to receive, from a content provider, enhanced content to be
provided to a user by way of a virtual channel associated with the
content provider. The enhanced content may be received from the
content provider in any suitable manner. For example, the enhanced
content may be received from media content provider subsystem
102.
[0045] The enhanced content received by enhanced content management
facility 304 may include any of the enhanced content described
herein. For example, the enhanced content may include social
networking content (e.g., chat rooms, message boards, and/or links
to social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter, etc.) that
are associated with a promoted product, Internet-based content
(e.g., hyperlinks to online news, blogs, and/or any other
Internet-based content associated with the promoted product),
interactive image content associated with the promoted product
(e.g., slide shows, panoramic views, magnified views, 360.degree.
views, and/or any other images representing the promoted product),
rating content associated with the promoted product (e.g., user
ratings of the promoted product, features configured to receive
user feedback regarding the promoted product that may then be
provided to the content provider and/or other users, critics'
ratings, safety ratings, Consumer Reports ratings, and/or any other
ratings associated with the promoted product), interactive
activities associated with the promoted product (e.g., games,
puzzles, and/or any other activities associated with the promoted
product), news and reviews of the promoted product, local content
(e.g., links to local retailers, local events, local news, and/or
other local content associated with the promoted product), and/or
any other type of content associated with the promoted product as
may serve a particular implementation.
[0046] In some examples, the enhanced content may facilitate the
purchase of the promoted product and/or one or more objects
associated with the promoted product. For example, various options
to purchase the promoted product or objects associated with the
promoted product (e.g., souvenirs, clothing, etc.) may be presented
to a user as enhanced content.
[0047] If the promoted product includes a media content instance,
the enhanced content may additionally or alternatively include
content associated with personnel associated with the media content
instance (e.g., bios, interviews, and/or chats with actors,
directors, producers, and/or any other personnel associated with
the media content instance), listings of other media content
instances (e.g., movies, video clips, trailers) associated with the
media content instance, one or more scenes included within or
otherwise associated with the media content instance (e.g.,
exclusive trailers, still shots, and/or other scenes included
within the media content instance), alternative or deleted scenes
associated with the media content instance, production content
associated with the media content instance (e.g., the enhanced
content may provide a user with the ability to view or otherwise
access exclusive footage from the production of the media content
instance and/or to track how the production of the media content
instance is progressing), one or more platform-specific formats of
the media content instance (e.g., alternative resolution versions
of the media content instance suitable for different types of
access devices), information associated with the media content
instance (e.g., show times and ticket information), and/or any
other suitable enhanced content associated with the media content
instance.
[0048] The aforementioned examples of enhanced content are merely
illustrative of the many different types of enhanced content that
may be associated with a promoted product. It will be recognized
that additional or alternative types of enhanced content may be
received by enhanced content management facility 304.
[0049] In some examples, enhanced content management facility 304
may be configured facilitate interaction by a user with enhanced
content by providing an interactive portal. The interactive portal
may be displayed by a display device associated with access
subsystem 106 (e.g., on a display screen of a television, on a
display screen of a mobile phone device, and/or on any other
display screen as may serve a particular application) and may be
configured to present enhanced content to the user in a manner
specified by the content provider and/or service provider subsystem
104.
[0050] Enhanced content management facility 304 may be configured
to provide one or more application programming interfaces ("APIs")
configured to facilitate customization of the interactive portal to
a content provider associated with the promoted product and/or the
enhanced content. The content provider may utilize the APIs to
provide input configured to customize the interactive portal. For
example, the content provider may select the enhanced content to be
included within the interactive portal, modify an appearance of the
enhanced content within the interactive portal, and/or otherwise
customize the interactive portal as may serve a particular
application. In this manner, the content provider does not have to
rely on personnel associated with the service provider subsystem
104 to perform updates to the enhanced content available within the
interactive portal.
[0051] In some examples, the interactive portal may have a fixed
layout consistent with a plurality of other interactive portals
associated with other virtual channels. In this manner, although
content providers may customize the enhanced content included
within an interactive portal, each interactive portal with which a
user interacts may have a consistent look and feel.
[0052] Enhanced content management facility 304 may additionally or
alternatively be configured to automatically customize enhanced
content available by way of a virtual channel. For example,
enhanced content management facility 304 may automatically select
enhanced content presented by way of the virtual channel,
automatically modify an appearance of the enhanced content within
an interactive portal, and/or otherwise automatically customize the
enhanced content in accordance with the associated promoted
product, a user profile associated with a user, and/or any other
factor as may serve a particular application.
[0053] Storage facility 306 may be configured to maintain virtual
channel data 308 used by virtual channel management facility 302 to
manage one or more virtual channels and enhanced content data 310
representative of enhanced content. It will be recognized that
storage facility 306 may maintain additional or alternative data as
may serve a particular implementation.
[0054] FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary components of access subsystem
106. As shown, access subsystem 106 may include a presentation
facility 402, an enhanced content access facility 404, and a
storage facility 406, which may be in communication with one
another using any suitable communication technologies.
[0055] Presentation facility 402 may be configured to present media
content and/or enhanced content for experiencing by a user. A
presentation of media content (e.g., an advertisement) may be
performed in any suitable way such as by generating and/or
providing output signals representative of the media content and/or
enhanced content to a display device (e.g., a television) and/or an
audio output device.
[0056] To illustrate, presentation facility 402 may be configured
to present an advertisement for a promoted product. The
advertisement may be included within a broadcast advertisement
stream that is presented to the user. The advertisement may include
and/or present one or more selectable triggers thereby facilitating
a selection by a user of one of the one or more selectable
triggers. In some examples, presentation facility 402 may be
additionally or alternatively configured to present one or more
selectable triggers to a user within a listing of virtual channels,
within a program guide, within a menu, and/or in any other suitable
manner.
[0057] Enhanced content access facility 404 may be configured to
allow a user to access enhanced content by way of one or more
virtual channels. For example, enhanced content access facility 404
may be configured to receive an input from a user representing a
selection of a selectable trigger associated with the virtual
channel. In response to the selection by the user of the selectable
trigger, enhanced content access facility 404 may provide the user
with access to enhanced content by way of the virtual channel.
[0058] Storage facility 406 may be configured to maintain data
associated with presentation facility 402 and/or enhanced content
access facility 404. It will be recognized that storage facility
406 may maintain additional or alternative data as may serve a
particular implementation.
[0059] Access subsystem 106 and/or components of access subsystem
106 may be implemented as may suit a particular application. FIG. 5
illustrates an exemplary media content access device 500 (or simply
"access device 500") having access subsystem 106 implemented
thereon. Access device 500 may include one or more of the
components of access subsystem 106 shown in FIG. 4 and may be
configured to perform one or more of the processes and/or
operations described herein. Access device 500 may include, but is
not limited to, a set-top box device, a media content processing
device, a communications device, a mobile device (e.g., a mobile
phone device), a handheld device, a personal computer, a phone
device, a personal-digital assistant device, a gaming device, a
digital video recording ("DVR") device, a television device, and/or
any device configured to perform one or more of the processes
and/or operations described herein.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 5, access device 500 may include a
communication interface 502 configured to receive media content
(e.g., advertisements, media content instances, etc.), enhanced
content (e.g., by way of one or more virtual channels), and/or
other data (e.g., metadata, program guide data, etc.) in any
acceptable format from media content provider subsystem 102,
service provider subsystem 104, and/or from any other suitable
external source. Communication interface 502 may include any
device, logic, and/or other technologies suitable for receiving
signals and/or data representative of media content and/or other
types of media content or data. Communication interface 502 may be
configured to interface with any suitable communication media,
protocols, and formats, including any of those mentioned above.
[0061] Access device 500 may also include a receiver 504 configured
to receive user input signals from a user input device 506. User
input device 506 may include, for example, a remote control device
or any other suitable input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a
touch screen, etc.) and may be configured to communicate with
receiver 504 via a wireless link, electrical connection, or any
other suitable communication link.
[0062] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary remote control device 600
that may implement user input device 506. In some examples, remote
control device 600 may be configured to facilitate a user
controlling operations of access subsystem 106. For instance, a
program guide button 602 may be configured to evoke a presentation
of a program guide GUI on a display. A left button 604, a right
button 606, an up button 608, a down button 610, and a select
button 612 may be included and configured to facilitate a user
evoking and/or navigating through various views, options, and GUIs
displayed by a display. A plurality of function buttons 614 (e.g.,
buttons labeled "A", "B", "C", and "D") may be configured to allow
a user to access one or more special services (e.g., virtual
channels, widgets, interactive menus, etc.). Remote control device
600 is merely illustrative of one of the many different types of
user input devices that may be used to provide input commands to
access subsystem 106.
[0063] Returning to FIG. 5, access device 500 may include a
graphics engine 508 and an output driver 510. Graphics engine 508
may be configured to generate graphics to be provided to output
driver 510, which may be configured to interface with or drive a
display 512. Output driver 510 may provide output signals to
display 512, the output signals including graphical media content
(e.g., media content, enhanced content, program guide media
content, etc.) generated by graphics engine 508 and to be presented
by display 512 for experiencing by a user. For example, output
driver 510 may provide data representative of a graphical user
interface ("GUI") including a program guide (e.g., an interactive
media guide ("IMG")) view to display 512 for presentation to the
user. Graphics engine 508 and output driver 510 may include any
combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware as may serve a
particular application.
[0064] Data store 514 may include one or more data storage media,
devices, or configurations and may employ any type, form, and
combination of storage media. For example, data store 514 may
include, but is not limited to, a hard drive, network drive, flash
drive, magnetic disc, optical disc, or other non-volatile storage
unit. Media content and/or data associated with media content may
be temporarily and/or permanently stored in data store 514.
[0065] Data store 514 is shown to be included within access device
500 in FIG. 5 for illustrative purposes only. It will be understood
that data store 514 may additionally or alternatively be located
external to access device 500.
[0066] Data store 514 may include one or more live cache buffers
516. Live cache buffer 516 may additionally or alternatively reside
in memory 518 or in a storage device external to access device 500.
In some examples, media content data may be temporarily stored in
live cache buffer 516 to facilitate viewing and/or recording of the
media content.
[0067] Access device 500 may include memory 518. Memory 518 may
include, but is not limited to, FLASH memory, random access memory
("RAM"), dynamic RAM ("DRAM"), other suitable computer-readable
media, or any combination or sub-combination thereof. In some
examples, one or more applications 520 configured to run on or
otherwise be executed by access device 500 may reside in memory
518.
[0068] Access device 500 may include one or more tuners 522. Tuner
522 may be configured to selectively receive media content carried
on a particular media content carrier channel such that the media
content may be processed by access device 500. In some examples,
media content received by tuner 522 may be temporarily buffered, or
stored, in the live cache buffer 516. If there are multiple tuners
522, there may be a live cache buffer 516 corresponding to each of
the tuners 522.
[0069] While tuner 522 may be used to receive certain media
content-carrying signals transmitted by media content provider
subsystem 102 and/or service provider subsystem 104, access device
500 may be configured to receive other types of media content
signals (including media content signals and/or program guide data
signals) from media content provider subsystem 102, service
provider subsystem 104, and/or one or more other sources without
using a tuner. For example, media content provider subsystem 102
and/or service provider subsystem 104 may transmit digital streams
of data packets (e.g., Internet Protocol ("IP") based data packets)
that can be received by way of one or more virtual channels without
using a tuner. For such types of media content signals,
communication interface 502 may receive and forward the signals
directly to other components of access device 500 (e.g., processor
524 or signal processing unit 526, described in more detail below)
without the signals going through tuner 522. For an IP-based
signal, for example, signal processing unit 526 may function as an
IP receiver.
[0070] Access device 500 may include at least one processor, such
as processor 524, configured to control and/or perform one or more
operations of access device 500. Access device 500 may also include
a signal processing unit 526 configured to process incoming media
content. Signal processing unit 526 may be configured, for example,
to demodulate and parse encoded digital media content. In some
examples, access device 500 may include one or more signal
processing units 526 corresponding to each of the tuners 522.
[0071] In some examples, media content provider subsystem 102
and/or service provider subsystem 104 may be configured to support
communication with access subsystem 106 via multiple network
platforms. For example, a user may utilize multiple access devices
500, each associated with a different network platform, to access
one or more applications and/or media content residing within media
content provider subsystem 102 and/or service provider subsystem
104.
[0072] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary method 700 of providing
enhanced content by way of a virtual channel. While FIG. 7
illustrates exemplary steps according to one embodiment, other
embodiments may omit, add to, reorder, and/or modify any of the
steps shown in FIG. 7. One or more steps of method 700 may be
performed by service provider subsystem 104.
[0073] In step 702, a virtual channel is provided. The virtual
channel may be provided by service provider subsystem 104 in any
suitable manner. For example, service provider subsystem 104 may
provide the virtual channel by creating, initiating, allocating,
activating, programming, providing, and/or otherwise managing the
virtual channel.
[0074] In certain examples, the virtual channel may be associated
with a channel code (e.g., a channel number). The channel code may
comprise any combination of numbers, letters, and/or symbols. The
channel code may be utilized by users to access the virtual channel
using access subsystem 106. In some examples, the channel code may
comprise a combination of a function key and one or more numbers
(e.g., a combination of function key "C" and the number sequence
"505") inputted by way of remote control device 600.
[0075] In step 704, the virtual channel may be associated with a
content provider. Service provider subsystem 104 may associate the
virtual channel with a content provider (e.g., a vendor) in any
suitable manner.
[0076] To illustrate, the virtual channel may be associated with a
vendor desiring to utilize the virtual channel to generate interest
in a product being promoted by the vendor. The vendor may enter
into a lease agreement with service provider personnel associated
with service provider subsystem 104 in which the vendor agrees to
lease the virtual channel for a specified time period and a
specified price. The virtual channel may then be used by the vendor
to present enhanced content associated with the promoted product to
one or more users during the specified time period.
[0077] As another example, a television network (e.g., NBC) may
lease a virtual channel to generate user interest in the network.
For example, the television network may desire to utilize the
virtual channel to promote current or upcoming television programs.
Access to the virtual channel may be provided to a user of access
subsystem 106 such that the user may experience any enhanced
content (e.g., television program clips, advertisements, trailers)
that the television network decides to provide by way of the
virtual channel, thereby generating user interest in the network.
In some examples, the channel code associated with the virtual
channel may correspond to the channel code associated with the
network (e.g., if the network's services are broadcast over channel
number 203, the virtual channel code may be C203). In additional or
alternative examples, the virtual channel may be associated with
the content provider in any other suitable manner.
[0078] In step 706, enhanced content to be provided by way of the
virtual channel may be received from the content provider. The
enhanced content may be received by service provider subsystem 104
in any of the ways described herein.
[0079] In step 708, one or more selectable triggers may be
associated with the virtual channel. Service provider subsystem 104
may associate the one or more selectable triggers with the virtual
channel in any suitable manner.
[0080] As mentioned, the one or more selectable triggers may be
configured to provide a user with access to the associated virtual
channel. To this end, the one or more selectable triggers may
include channel codes, links, menu options, selectable graphical
objects, and/or any other suitable trigger. The selectable triggers
may be provided by way of one or more advertisements, options,
listings, program guides, menus, and/or any other suitable manner
for delivering and/or displaying selectable triggers.
[0081] To illustrate, a selectable trigger may be included in an
advertisement presented to a user. The advertisement may be
included, for example, within a broadcast advertisement stream that
is presented to the user by way of access subsystem 106. For
example, FIG. 8 shows an exemplary advertisement frame that may be
included within a visual advertisement presented to a user of
access subsystem 106. As shown in FIG. 8, advertisement frame 800
may be configured to promote a movie entitled "Tarzan". As shown in
advertisement frame 800, the movie is about to be released in
theaters.
[0082] Advertisement frame 800 may be further configured to display
a selectable trigger 802 that directs a viewer of advertisement
frame 802 to press a sequence of input buttons on a remote control
device or the like in order to access a virtual channel associated
with the movie. In some examples, selectable trigger 802 may be
specific to a particular subscriber television network (e.g., the
Verizon.RTM. FIOS.RTM. network) such that only users of the
particular subscriber television network may access the virtual
channel by pressing the displayed sequence of input buttons. It
will be recognized that selectable trigger 802 may be applicable to
a user of any subscriber network.
[0083] In some alternative examples, selectable trigger 802 may
include a hyperlink or other trigger that may be selected by a user
in order to access enhanced content associated with the movie.
Selection of the hyperlink may direct the user to an interactive
portal provided by way of a virtual channel by which the user may
access enhanced content associated with the movie. In some
examples, the hyperlink or other enhanced content trigger may be
transmitted to access subsystem 106 independent of the broadcast
advertisement stream. For example, the hyperlink or other enhanced
content trigger may be transmitted by way of an IP network or the
like.
[0084] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative form of presenting one or
more selectable triggers configured to facilitate access to one or
more virtual channels associated with one or more promoted
products. As shown in FIG. 9, a GUI 900 including a display of a
plurality of selectable triggers 902-1 through 902-4 (collectively
referred to herein as "selectable triggers 902") may be presented
to a user of access subsystem 106. Selectable triggers 902 may
include selectable graphical objects, as shown in FIG. 9, and may
be presented within an interactive program guide, an interactive
menu hierarchy, and/or any other type of GUI as may serve a
particular application. GUI 900 may be displayed on a display
device (e.g., a television) associated with access subsystem
106.
[0085] As shown, GUI 900 may include an interactive menu configured
to facilitate navigation between and/or selection of selectable
triggers 902. Each selectable trigger 902 may be associated with a
product being promoted by a vendor. For example, selectable trigger
902-1 may be associated with a movie entitled "Tarzan", selectable
trigger 902-2 may be associated with a movie entitled "Inglorious
Bass Masters", selectable trigger 902-3 may be associated with an
automobile (e.g., provided by Ford), and selectable trigger 902-4
may be associated with a theme park (e.g., Disneyland). Although
GUI 900 includes four selectable triggers 902, it will be
recognized that any number of selectable triggers may be included
in GUI 900 as may serve a particular implementation.
[0086] In some examples, selectable triggers 902 may be grouped
into categories to facilitate intuitive browsing thereof by a user.
For example, FIG. 9 shows that a listing 904 of groups of
selectable triggers 902 may be included in GUI 900. The groups may
allow a user to browse through selectable triggers 902 based on
featured virtual channels, all virtual channels, and/or categorized
virtual channels. A user may utilize a selection box 906 to
navigate through various entries in list 904 and/or select a
particular selectable trigger 902. For example, a user may position
selection box 906 over a desired selectable trigger 902, after
which the user may press a "select" button or the like on a remote
control device to access the corresponding virtual channel. To
illustrate, a user may access a virtual channel associated with
"Tarzan" by positioning selection box 906 over selectable trigger
902-1 and pressing a "select" button on a remote control
device.
[0087] FIG. 10 illustrates another alternative form of presenting
one or more selectable triggers configured to facilitate access to
one or more virtual channels associated with one or more promoted
products. As shown in FIG. 10, a GUI 1000 representative of an
interactive program guide may be provided for presentation to a
user. Selectable triggers 1002-1 through 1002-3 (collectively
referred to herein as "selectable triggers 1002") may be displayed
within the interactive program guide in the form of selectable
graphical objects. Each selectable trigger 1002 may be associated
with a particular program listed in the interactive program guide.
To access enhanced content associated with a particular program
(e.g., "Babar"), a corresponding selectable trigger (e.g.,
selectable trigger 1002-1) may be selected by the user.
[0088] Although GUI 1000 includes three selectable triggers 1002,
it will be recognized that, in additional or alternative
embodiments, GUI 1000 may include any number of selectable triggers
1002 suitable for a particular implementation. In some examples,
multiple selectable triggers 1002 may be associated with a single
program.
[0089] The foregoing examples of selectable triggers associated
with a virtual channel are merely illustrative of the many
different types of selectable triggers that may be provided to a
user. Other types of selectable triggers, such as links and/or
triggers available through banner advertisements, pop-up messages,
and the like, may be presented to the user as may serve a
particular implementation.
[0090] Returning to FIG. 7, in step 710, in response to a selection
by the user of one of the one or more selectable triggers provided
in step 708, the user may be provided with access to the enhanced
content received in step 706. The user may be provided with access
to the enhanced content in any suitable manner as may serve a
particular application.
[0091] To illustrate, FIGS. 11-13 show exemplary interactive
portals 1100, 1200, and 1300 each providing the user with access to
enhanced content associated with the movie "Tarzan" that may be
presented to the user in response to a selection by the user of
selectable trigger 902-1 shown in FIG. 9. Each interactive portal
1100, 1200, and 1300 may correspond to a different time period of a
marketing campaign for the movie "Tarzan". For example, interactive
portal 1100 may be configured to generate user interest prior to
the release of the movie, interactive portal 1200 may be configured
to generate user interest in, as well as facilitate purchase of
tickets for, the movie once the movie is available in theaters, and
interactive portal 1300 may be configured to generate user interest
in, and facilitate a user's purchase of, the movie once the movie
is released on DVD and/or pay-per-view. It will be recognized that
interactive portals 1100, 1200, and 1300 shown in FIGS. 11-13 are
merely illustrative of the many different interactive portals
and/or other virtual channels by which enhanced content associated
with a virtual channel may be presented to the user.
[0092] As shown in FIG. 11, interactive portal 1100 may be
configured to present various types of enhanced content associated
with the movie "Tarzan". For example, the enhanced content may be
organized within a plurality of selectable enhanced content
categories 1102, a list of which may be displayed within a viewing
pane (e.g., viewing pane 1104) of interactive portal 1100. As shown
in FIG. 11, exemplary enhanced content categories 1102 may include,
but are not limited to, trailers and clips, related movies, social
networking content (e.g., chat rooms, links to social networking
sites), cast and crew content, content configured to facilitate
purchase by the user of the product or related products, and/or
options to send content to a friend (e.g., via email).
[0093] To access enhanced content included within one of the
enhanced content categories 1102, a user may position a selection
box 1106 over the desired category. In response, enhanced content
included within the selected category may be presented within
another viewing pane (e.g., viewing pane 1108). For example, as
shown in FIG. 11, selection box 1106 may be positioned over an
enhanced content category labeled "chat room". Hence, an
interactive chat room is displayed within viewing pane 1108. The
user may utilize the interactive chat room to discuss "Tarzan" with
other fans of the movie, receive recommendations from other users,
access user generated content, arrange to meet other fans of
"Tarzan" in person, and/or otherwise interact socially with other
users who are interested in the "Tarzan" movie.
[0094] Additional or alternative enhanced content categories 1102
may be displayed within interactive portal 1100 as may serve a
particular application. For example, a user and/or a vendor may
specify which enhanced content categories are displayed within
interactive portal 1100. In some examples, the enhanced content
categories 1102 may change over time, as specified by the vendor
and/or user.
[0095] Interactive portal 1200 shown in FIG. 12 may include
additional or alternative enhanced content associated with the
movie "Tarzan" and may be presented to a user during a time period
in which the movie is available in theaters. The enhanced content
included in interactive portal 1200 may be organized within
enhanced content categories 1202 listed in viewing pane 1204.
Exemplary enhanced content categories 1202 may include, but are not
limited to, trailers and clips, information regarding tickets and
showtimes including links to purchase tickets and/or obtain
directions to theaters, a chat room, casting crew content, news and
reviews (e.g., user and critic ratings of the movie), activities or
games associated with the movie (e.g., trivia games, puzzles,
and/or any other interactive activity associated with movie),
and/or content configured to facilitate a user's purchase of
products related to the movie.
[0096] To access enhanced content included within one of the
enhanced content categories 1202, a user may position a selection
box 1206 over the desired category. In response, enhanced content
included within the selected category may be presented within
another viewing pane (e.g., viewing pane 1208). For example, as
shown in FIG. 12, selection box 1206 is positioned over an enhanced
content category labeled "Tickets & Showtimes". Hence, a
listing of information including theaters showing the movie,
showtimes, links to purchase tickets, and/or links to obtain
directions to the theaters may be displayed within viewing pane
1208. A user may utilize the enhanced content to determine where
and when to watch the movie, to purchase tickets for the movie,
and/or to obtain directions to the desired theater.
[0097] Interactive portal 1300 shown in FIG. 13 may include
additional or alternative enhanced content associated with the
movie "Tarzan" and may be presented to a user once the movie is
released on DVD and or pay-per-view. For example, interactive
portal 1300 may include the same enhanced content as interactive
portal 1200 as well as a "watch on-demand" option 1302. Option 1302
may be positioned in viewing pane 1304, for example, and may be
selected by a user to view the movie in viewing pane 1306.
Interactive portal 1300 may also include media content controls
1310 configured to allow a user to navigate through and control the
display of the movie (e.g., fast forward through the movie, change
resolutions of the movie, etc.).
[0098] In some examples, system 100 may be configured to provide
access to enhanced content associated with a purchased media
content instance (e.g., a purchased pay-per-view movie)
concurrently with a presentation of the media content instance by
access subsystem 106. For example, a user may select the "Games"
category shown in FIG. 13 to participate in an interactive game
associated with "Tarzan" while the movie is being presented to the
user. In response, the interactive game may be displayed within
viewing pane 1304 or an additional viewing pane while "Tarzan" is
presented in viewing pane 1306. In some examples, a user
participating in a game may desire to invite one or more additional
users to participate in (e.g., join) the interactive game. To this
end, the user may select one or more friends or other users who
have purchased access to "Tarzan" to invite to participate in the
interactive game.
[0099] Although interactive portals 1100, 1200, and 1300 are
configured to generate user interest in a movie, principles
described herein may be utilized to promote and/or generate user
interest in any other product as may serve a particular
application.
[0100] For example, FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary interactive
portal 1400 that may be presented to a user and that is configured
to generate user interest in an automobile (e.g., an automobile
offered by Ford). A user may be directed to interactive portal 1400
upon selecting a corresponding selectable trigger (e.g., as
instructed in a broadcast advertisement advertising the
automobile). Interactive portal 1400 may be configured to present
various types of enhanced content associated with the promoted
product. The enhanced content may be organized into enhanced
content categories 1402 and displayed within viewing pane 1404. As
shown in FIG. 14, exemplary enhanced content categories 1402 may
include video clips of the promoted product, specifications of the
promoted product, images of the promoted product (e.g., 360.degree.
views of the promoted product), ratings (e.g., safety ratings) of
the promoted product, news and reviews (e.g., critic reviews, user
reviews, etc.) related to the promoted product, content configured
to allow a user to personally configure and/or purchase the
promoted product, content configured to direct the user to a
retailer (e.g., dealer) of the promoted product, and/or social
networking content (e.g., chat rooms, links to social networking
sites).
[0101] A user may utilize a selection box 1406 to select one of the
enhanced content categories 1402 to be accessed and/or displayed
through another viewing pane (e.g., viewing pane 1408). To
illustrate, a user may position selection box 1406 over the
enhanced content category labeled "360.degree. Views" to view
images (e.g., three dimensional images) of the automobile. The user
may then view and interact with the images in viewing pane 1408 to
determine whether the user is interested in purchasing the
automobile. If so, the user may select the enhanced content
category labeled "Build Your Ford" to customize the automobile to
his/her liking and/or select the enhanced content category labeled
"Find a Dealer" to be directed to a dealer where the user can
purchase the automobile.
[0102] FIG. 15 illustrates another exemplary method 1500 of
providing enhanced content by way of a virtual channel. While FIG.
15 illustrates exemplary steps according to one embodiment, other
embodiments may omit, add to, reorder, and/or modify any of the
steps shown in FIG. 15. One or more steps of method 1500 may be
performed by service provider subsystem 104.
[0103] In step 1502, a virtual channel may be associated with a
vendor of a promoted product. The virtual channel may be associated
with the vendor in any of the ways described herein.
[0104] In step 1504, data representative of enhanced content to be
provided by way of the virtual channel is received from the vendor.
The data representative of the enhanced content may be received in
any of the ways described herein.
[0105] In step 1506, one or more selectable triggers are associated
with the virtual channel, the one or more selectable triggers
comprising a virtual channel code. The one or more selectable
triggers may be associated with the virtual channel in any of the
ways described herein.
[0106] In step 1508, data representative of an advertisement for
the promoted product is delivered to a user, the advertisement
comprising a display of the virtual channel code. The advertisement
may be delivered to the user in any of the ways described
herein.
[0107] In step 1510, the user may be provided with access to the
enhanced content in response to input by the user of the virtual
channel code by way of a user input device. Access to the enhanced
content may be provided to the user in any of the ways described
herein.
[0108] In certain embodiments, one or more of the components and/or
processes described herein may be implemented and/or performed by
one or more appropriately configured computing devices. To this
end, one or more of the systems and/or components described above
may include or be implemented by any computer hardware and/or
computer-implemented instructions (e.g., software) embodied on a
computer-readable medium, or combinations of tangibly embodied
computer-implemented instructions and hardware, configured to
perform one or more of the processes described herein. In
particular, system components may be implemented on one physical
computing device or may be implemented on more than one physical
computing device. Accordingly, system components may include any
number of computing devices, and may employ any of a number of
computer operating systems.
[0109] In certain embodiments, one or more of the processes
described herein may be implemented at least in part as
instructions executable by one or more computing devices. In
general, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives
instructions, from a tangible computer-readable medium, (e.g., a
memory, etc.), and executes those instructions, thereby performing
one or more processes, including one or more of the processes
described herein. Such instructions may be stored and/or
transmitted using any of a variety of known computer-readable
media.
[0110] A computer-readable medium (also referred to as a
processor-readable medium) includes any medium that participates in
providing data (e.g., instructions) that may be read by a computer
(e.g., by a processor of a computer). Such a medium may take many
forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media and/or
volatile media. Non-volatile media may include, for example,
optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile
media may include, for example, dynamic random access memory
("DRAM"), which typically constitutes a main memory. Common forms
of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk,
flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium,
a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a
FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other
tangible medium from which a computer can read.
[0111] FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary computing device 1600 that
may be configured to perform one or more of the processes described
herein. As shown in FIG. 16, computing device 1600 may include a
communication interface 1602, a processor 1604, a storage device
1606, and an input/output ("I/O") module 1608 communicatively
connected via a communication infrastructure 1610. While an
exemplary computing device 1600 is shown in FIG. 16, the components
illustrated in FIG. 16 are not intended to be limiting. Additional
or alternative components may be used in other embodiments.
Components of computing device 1600 shown in FIG. 16 will now be
described in additional detail.
[0112] Communication interface 1602 may be configured to
communicate with one or more computing devices. Examples of
communication interface 1602 include, without limitation, a wired
network interface (such as a network interface card), a wireless
network interface (such as a wireless network interface card), a
modem, and any other suitable interface. In at least one
embodiment, communication interface 1602 may provide a direct
connection between content provider subsystem 102, service provider
subsystem 104, and/or access subsystem 106 via a direct link to a
network, such as network 108 of FIG. 1. Communication interface
1602 may additionally or alternatively provide such a connection
through, for example, a local area network (such as an Ethernet
network), a personal area network, a telephone or cable network, a
satellite data connection, a dedicated URL, or any other suitable
connection. Communication interface 1602 may be configured to
interface with any suitable communication media, protocols, and
formats, including any of those mentioned above.
[0113] Processor 1604 generally represents any type or form of
processing unit capable of processing data or interpreting,
executing, and/or directing execution of one or more of the
instructions, processes, and/or operations described herein.
Processor 1604 may direct execution of operations in accordance
with one or more applications 1612 or other computer-executable
instructions such as may be stored in storage device 1606 or
another computer-readable medium.
[0114] Storage device 1606 may include one or more data storage
media, devices, or configurations and may employ any type, form,
and combination of data storage media and/or device. For example,
storage device 1606 may include, but is not limited to, a hard
drive, network drive, flash drive, magnetic disc, optical disc,
random access memory ("RAM"), dynamic RAM ("DRAM"), other
non-volatile and/or volatile data storage units, or a combination
or sub-combination thereof. Electronic data, including data
described herein, may be temporarily and/or permanently stored in
storage device 1606. For example, data representative of one or
more executable applications 1612 (which may include, but are not
limited to, one or more of the software applications described
herein) configured to direct processor 1604 to perform any of the
operations described herein may be stored within storage device
1606. In some examples, data may be arranged in one or more
databases residing within storage device 1606.
[0115] I/O module 1608 may be configured to receive user input and
provide user output and may include any hardware, firmware,
software, or combination thereof supportive of input and output
capabilities. For example, I/O module 1608 may include hardware
and/or software for capturing user input, including, but not
limited to, a keyboard or keypad, a touch screen component (e.g.,
touch screen display), a receiver (e.g., an RF or infrared
receiver), and/or one or more input buttons.
[0116] I/O module 1608 may include one or more devices for
presenting output to a user, including, but not limited to, a
graphics engine, a display (e.g., a display screen), one or more
output drivers (e.g., display drivers), one or more audio speakers,
and one or more audio drivers. In certain embodiments, I/O module
1608 is configured to provide graphical data to a display for
presentation to a user. The graphical data may be representative of
one or more graphical user interfaces and/or any other graphical
content as may serve a particular implementation.
[0117] In some examples, any of the facilities described herein may
be implemented by or within one or more components of computing
device 1600. For example, one or more applications 1612 residing
within storage device 1606 may be configured to direct processor
1604 to perform one or more processes or functions associated with
media content facility 202, enhanced content generation facility
204, virtual channel management facility 302, enhanced content
management facility 304, presentation facility 402, and/or enhanced
content access facility 404. Likewise, storage facility 206,
storage facility 306, and/or storage facility 406 may be
implemented by or within storage device 1606.
[0118] The components of system 100 may be implemented by computing
device 1600 or a combination of computing devices, such as a media
content processing device, a server device (e.g., an application
server, video server, web server, etc.), office equipment, a
set-top box, a communications device, a mobile device (e.g., a
mobile phone device), a handheld device, a personal computer, a
phone device, a personal-digital assistant device, a gaming device,
a digital video recording ("DVR") device (e.g., a personal video
recording ("PVR") device), a television device, and/or any media
content access and/or distribution device configured to perform one
or more of the advertising platform processes and/or operations
described herein.
[0119] In the preceding description, various exemplary embodiments
have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It
will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes
may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented,
without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in
the claims that follow. For example, certain features of one
embodiment described herein may be combined with or substituted for
features of another embodiment described herein. The description
and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative
rather than a restrictive sense.
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